Back when I first came to this town
I was hangin' round the bus station, cafe there
Mindin' my own business like I always do
And I thought I check out the action like I always do
And I gave this waitress a big animated few choice personal comments
About what I thought mine and her possibilities could be for a team
When she called a badge on me
The badge grabbed me by the arm and said
"Hey boy, what are you hangin' around here for?"
And I said, "For whatever is goin' around"

City jail, city jail
Like an old scared dog, I tuck my tail
I hung my head and not a careless word I said
I gotta sleep on the floor once more, city jail

He said, "No what I mean is
What are you doin' saying things like that to that lady?"
And I said, "What's that lady doin' with purple hair?'
And the badge said, "You're a smart alec ain't you boy?"
And I said, "No sir, I'm just hungry"
And he said, "Well you're acting like a smart alec"
And I said, "Well that's how I act when I get hungry"

City jail, city jail
Like an old scared dog, I tuck my tail
I hung my head and not a careless word I said
I gotta sleep on the floor once more, city jail

Well he took me outside to a dark corner
And before I could say hypocrite, he hit me on the head
And I said, "Don't hit me on the head
I can't protect myself with these handcuffs on"
And he hit me again, and I said
"Please don't stand on my feet when you hit me
I'll break my ankles when I fall"

City jail, city jail
Like an old scared dog, I tuck my tail
I hung my head and not a careless word I said
I gotta sleep on the floor once more, city jail

Well about that time they threw me in the wagon
And that waitress walked out with a sailor
I said, "Hey you! Not you sailor I'm talkin' to the purple people eater
You lady, quote 'you're the cause of it all' unquote"
Then she said to the sailor, she said, "Get me away from that horrible man Harry"
And as they hauled me away I said, "Everybody have a nice evening"

City jail, city jail
Like an old scared dog, I tuck my tail
I hung my head and not a careless word I said
I gotta sleep on the floor once more, city jail
I gotta sleep on the floor once more at the city jail